Many of you know Lily from the tennis courts - her beautiful strokes, her gentle voice, and her friendly smile.

The Thursday night before her world changed, she was right where she loved to be: on the court with her doubles partner, playing a USTA match. She won.

The next morning, May 8th, Lily was viciously attacked inside her home by her husband. She suffered multiple stab wounds — to her neck, chest, arm, shoulder, and hand — injuries so severe that surgery was already required, with more recovery ahead.

That same day, this family had planned to celebrate together. Her older son had just completed his last exam toward his degree in accounting at USF. His graduation celebration never happened.

Both of Lily’s sons were home. Her older son heard his mother's screams and rushed in, trying desperately to stop the attack and pull the knife away — suffering lacerations to his own hands in the struggle. When he could not stop it alone, he called for his younger brother. The younger boy saw his mother being stabbed, and made an impossible split-second decision: he retrieved his firearm and shot his father to stop the assault. Lily’s life was saved.

Lily’s younger son, who had plans to join the ROTC program at USF this summer, loved both of his parents. That is what makes what he had to do so unbearable. In a single moment, with no good options and no time to think, he made a choice that incapacitated his father in order to save his mother’s life.

Lily says she will never forget the look of anguish on his face after he pulled the trigger. That expression — a son who loved both his parents, forever changed by a moment he never asked for — is something this family will carry for the rest of their lives.

"Without my boys, I would not be alive. They are my angels."

Lily and her sons are now recovering with family out of state, trying to find stillness and safety. She is doing what she has always done — staying strong, putting her sons first.

But she is hurting in ways that go far beyond the physical wounds, and the road ahead is long. When she closes her eyes, the terror replays in her mind. When her boys look at her, the attack replays in their minds.

For years, Lily poured herself into her family as a devoted stay-at-home mom, raising her sons and sacrificing her own career to do it. That devotion now leaves her in an impossibly vulnerable position. She has no income of her own. And the health insurance covering her care — the care she desperately needs right now — was tied to her husband’s employment. It is almost certainly gone.

Our sweet friend Lily is recovering from multiple stab wounds and surgery, facing more treatment ahead, with no income and no health coverage. The financial cliff she is standing at is as frightening as anything she has already survived.

What your support will help cover:

Today, we have the chance to show up for her.

If you have played alongside her, shared a laugh after a match, or simply been lucky enough to call her a friend — this is the moment. Share this page widely. Give what you can. Let her know the community she loves is rallying around her.

Lily — we see you. We love you. Come back to us when you’re ready. The court – and your girlfriends – will be waiting.

The fine print (required by GoFundMe):

This fundraiser has been approved by Lily Ly's family. 100% of the monies raised will go directly to Lily. The funds will be transferred to Tu (Lily's sister) and she will ensure Lily and her boys receive all of the support they need to heal and get back on their feet.

Lily is like a sister to me. I was her first tennis friend and invited her to hit with me at Hunter's Green. She joined our team for one season and got really good really fast. She now plays for the Power Flowers but we are all one loving community here in Tampa. <3

-Phuong